Strikeforce delivers "Payback" for its first show in Colorado

http://mmajunkie.comThe theme of the latest Strikeforce show is “Payback,” and that’s exactly what Duane Ludwig will be seeking in a rematch with Sam Morgan.

Ludwig and Morgan headline the Strikeforce offering Friday night at the Broomfield Event Center in Colorado, outside of Denver. The first meeting between Denver native Ludwig and Morgan, who appeared on the third season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” lasted all of 52 seconds.

Morgan, known primarily for his submission work, landed a short right hand, which dropped Ludwig in the main event of Ring of Fire 16 back in April of 2005. Morgan (19-11) followed up with a flurry of shots that ended the proceedings in quick fashion.

Since the loss, Ludwig (16-8), who was favored in the bout, went on to fight some familiar names in the sport, including Tyson Griffin, Josh Thomson, Paul Daley and, in March, Takanori Gomi.

However, the 30-year-old banger hasn’t been able to beat any of those top-shelf opponents. Ludwig’s biggest victory came back in 2003, when he knocked out Jens Pulver.

Morgan, 27, has endured his share of disappointments, as well, since pulling the upset against Ludwig. He’s just 3-5 since the bout and has lost three straight to Fabricio Camoes, Daley and Cung Le.

Ludwig and Morgan meet in a 165-pound match-up, which heads seven pro fights on Strikeforce’s second show in less than two weeks. The promotion held an event at the Playboy Mansion on Sept. 20.

“He’s been to the big shows and the bigger organizations a couple times, but didn’t do very well. He’s done well in the mid-level shows and he’s a formidable opponent,” said Trigg, who earlier this week told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that he’s reached a point in his career where his outlook is one fight at a time. “He’s a guy who can give me some trouble.”

“The New York Bad Ass,” Phil Baroni, was originally scheduled to be on the card to face James Martinez. However, Baroni suffered an eyelid cut during a unanimous-decision victory over Olaf Alfonso in a Palace Fighting Championship bout last Friday. MMAjunkie.com has learned that the cut required stitches, forcing Baroni off the show.

“Payback” will also feature the MMA debut of American Top Team member and two-time New York State Metropolitan Boxing champion, Carlos Zevallos. The 29-year-old Queens, N.Y. native, who’s been studying Muay Thai since he was 16, will face Andre Walker (1-3) in a light heavyweight bout.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” said Zevallos. “I’m going to make it very far (in MMA) because I pay a lot of attention to detail. I really dissect the sport and study it to the fullest – every aspect of it. Not only do I learn it very fast, but I get really good at it.”

The featured women’s fight of the evening matches Michelle Waterson against Tyra Parker. Both fighters will be making their Strikeforce debuts.

Fans of the “Fight Girls” reality show will remember Waterson, who appeared on the 2007 Oxygen channel series.

“It was a great experience,” said Waterson. “It helped me become a stronger person and helped me learn how to deal with problems on my own. It also showed me that fighting is not just physical but also mental.”

Since the show, the 22-year former bikini model and Colorado native moved to Albuquerque, N.M., to train under Greg Jackson.

“I needed to come here to take my career to the next level,” she said. “I’ve learned how to grapple on the ground and use my wrestling as a weapon. I’m a much more well-rounded fighter now.”

The “Payback” event marks Strikeforce’s first trip to Colorado and its seventh show of the year. As MMAjunkie.com first reported, the promotion is expected to return to its home base of San Jose, Calif., for another show on Nov. 21.

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